Coenzyme Q10 deficiency in elderly: Can nutritional supplementation play a role? Mini review

Abstract

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an important mitochondrial redox component, plays a pivotal role in cellular energyproduction; moreover, it is the only lipid-soluble antioxidant endogenously synthesized in humans. Given itsfunction and physiological importance, it is not surprising that CoQ10 deficiency may result in several diseases.With aging, humans begin to lose the ability to synthesize CoQ10 from food, resulting in reduced serum levelsof CoQ10 and contributing to aging-associated symptoms. Poor eating habits, infections, stress and also somedrugs, as beta blockers, antihypertensive agents and statins, may reduce serum levels of CoQ10. Dietarysupplementation has been proposed as key strategy to increase CoQ10 availability, improving health status inelderly; however CoQ10 is not approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of anymedical condition and it is sold only as a dietary supplement. Aim of the study was to examine the latest relevantevidences on potential benefits of CoQ10 nutritional supplement and its implication in improving health statusin elderly. There is evidence that, in elderly, oral administration of CoQ10 reduces oxidative stress andinflammatory markers and reduces cardiovascular mortality; in diabetics CoQ10 treatment improves insulinsensitivity and decreases glycated hemoglobin. Therapeutic benefit from CoQ10 supplementation has alsobeen obtained in neurodegenerative diseases as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington's diseases. CoQ10supplements could be useful in several aging- related clinical conditions; however, well standardized longterm and larger further studies are needed